Prayers

Prayer of Confession

We are workers, God, just like you. But we confess that our work is not always done in a manner that affirms and honors each other. Our work is not always done in a spirit that is pleasing to you. We confess that, on some occasions, we have blindly bought goods made by people who are paid too little or work in unsafe conditions. We admit that we have failed to end an unjust system in which some workers have jobs that provide good wages and benefits while other may have no job, or one that pays little and provides few benefits.

Creator God, help us to be your people, working for a world where all workers are valued. A world where those who clean houses are also able to buy houses to live in. A world where those who grow food can also afford to eat their fill. And one where those who serve us—in stores, schools, hotels, restaurants, nursing homes, and many other places—are also served by us. It will be a world where all workers everywhere share in the abundance that you have given us.

Words of Assurance

Our God is a God of grace and transformation. When we ask, God gives us the courage and strength to live out our faith in the workplace and the marketplace, as well as in the sanctuary.

~ posted on the United Church of Christ’s website. See that site for additional worship resources for Labor Day.
http://www.ucc.org/justice/worker-justice/labor-sunday/worship-resources.html

God of the Working World

God of the working world:
Thank you for meaningful work that fills us with satisfaction,
the way challenges can spur us on to greater efforts
that pay off with a job well done.

But that’s not always the case.
Sometimes the work we do isn’t productive, or it isn’t recognized.
We spend the whole day working and nothing gets done,
the machine breaks down just after we fixed it,
the house gets messy just when it was clean,
more tasks are assigned to us when we are already overwhelmed.

Some of us hate our work.
It’s too hard for us, our bodies can’t take it.
The working environment is depressing,
or the people we work with drag us down.
Sometimes we aren’t making enough money to make ends meet.

And some of us can’t find work.
We sit at home, longing to be productive, but there are no jobs.
In a world that values financial success,
and in a world where bills pile up,
not bringing home a paycheque can make us feel like outcasts.

You are the great employer.
There are jobs in your kingdom for each one;
challenging, meaningful, significant.
You provide us with the tools for the job;
strength, courage, determination and insight.
Open our eyes to your great work, and our place within it.
We are your work, the work of your hands;
we do the work of your hands.

~ written by Carol Penner, and posted on her Leading in Worship blog.
http://carolpenner.typepad.com/

Prayer of Intercession for Labor Day

God our Maker, in the beginning, you called men and women to be stewards of the earth you created and gave them meaningful work to do—naming animals, tending your garden, using their imaginations, observing the world, fulfilling their vocation as those who bore your image and likeness. Still today you call us to do your work and bless us in our activities. We praise you when we find meaning for life as well as the means to our daily bread in our jobs and careers. We thank you for the variety of our vocations, that add richness to society and fill needs in our communities, our nation, and our world. Give your grace to all who labor in our land and across the globe, so they may glorify you through what they do.

We pray particularly that you look with favor on…
…those who care for people at the beginning and at the end of life;
…all who help others cope with crises;
…men and women who put themselves in harm’s way
to ensure the safety and security of others;
…people who inspire our imaginations and touch our hearts through their work;
…those who do dirty and dangerous jobs that are necessary,
but no one else wants;
…first-time teen workers and workers who have retired after long years of service;
…all who contribute to the common good in any way by working.

Yet even as we praise you for the provision you make for our livelihoods through our daily activities, we remember and ask your grace for…
…all who work hard, but cannot make ends meet
or provide security for themselves and their families;
…those who live hand to mouth, with no savings,
so they are one unexpected or new expense away from financial ruin;
…young adults who are strapped and burdened by debt
and older adults struggling to live on fixed incomes;
…men and women who are unemployed and cannot find work;
…those whose jobs have been made irrelevant or obsolete
by technology and a changing culture;
…workers who have been victims of downsizing, outsourcing, and cutbacks;
…people whose jobs are a drudgery
and who dream of something better but find nothing.

We know, too, that there are some who do their work in an unworthy and godless way.
To bring their repentance and salvation, send your judgment on…
…bullies in the workplace;
…bosses and anyone else who take credit for someone else’s ideas and work;
…executives, managers, and any in the workplace
who are not held accountable for unethical and immoral behavior;
…any who produce little or nothing but expect large salaries and perks;
…those whose work exploits, abuses or destroys others for profit or pleasure;
…all in power who use their positions
to steal from their organizations or other people,
to lie, to advance their personal agendas, and to hurt others.

Even as we pray for workers on this Labor Day weekend, we ask your help for all who are sick and grieving, troubled and lonely, hurting and helpless. Especially do we bring you neighbors and friends who are on our hearts, whom we name now before you….

God, you have taken care of your people through the ages. Continue your covenant faithfulness to us gathered here and grant our prayers, even as you help us by your Spirit to turn them into compassionate action. And we will give you the glory. Through Christ we pray. Amen.

~ copyright © 2010 Tom Cheatham. Posted on The Connection blog.
http://theconnection08.wordpress.com/